The Murphy administration announced more than $8 million in funding toward building a green workforce on Dec. 7.
Of that, $5 million comes via a collaboration between the Office of Climate Action and Green Economy (OCAGE) with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJEDP) – through the Building our Resilient, Inclusive, and Diverse Green Economy (NJ BRIDGE) initiative – for scalable projects to support residents entering the green workforce, with a focus on engaging those in overburdened communities.
Another $3.725 million comes from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge, which offers awards to selected entities that will aid in launching or expanding workforce training and skills programs to strengthen and diversify the Garden State’s offshore wind workforce.
Going green
- NJEDA to launch offshore wind grant challenge
- New Jersey increases 2040 offshore wind targets by nearly 50%
In September, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order that increases New Jersey’s offshore wind goal by nearly 50% by 2040. – EDWIN J. TORRES/NJ GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
NJEDA will begin accepting applications on Dec. 8 for the program.
Gov. Phil Murphy says his administration is proud to provide support for new and existing opportunities for New Jerseyans.
“These significant funding commitments and interdepartmental synergies testify to our comprehensive, all-of-government approach to positioning New Jersey as a national leader in the green economy,” said Murphy. “As we work to protect our vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change, we will also ensure that they are equipped with the resources they need to reap the optimal benefits of our state’s transition to a 100% clean energy economy.”
First Lady Tammy Murphy says the funding expands on recently enacted programs, including climate change curriculum, enabling further education and training to ensure diverse communities enter the green economy workforce.
“The state’s emerging offshore wind industry, and the green energy sector overall, is creating a wealth of attractive, family-sustaining career opportunities,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “We have a responsibility to make sure New Jerseyans from all backgrounds have access to the training needed to safely and skillfully perform those jobs.”
